Getting back into Trapshooting.... shotgun recommendations

[DIBBS]

I don't really need to fall back into this rabbit hole, but am considering starting trapshooting again locally after about a 20 year hiatus since a couple close friends are still doing so.

In the mid 80's through late 90's, I shot locally and attended a few ATA competitions. I started with a Model 12, then a Ruger O/U, and ended with a Beretta O/U for doubles and Ljutic for singles and handicap. These were all sold long ago to fund other rabbit hole dysfunctions. There might have even been an 1100 Remington mixed in there too.

That being said, I am looking for shotgun recommendations. It needs to be durable, quality made, have parts readily available (and of recent/current manufacture as I see Ljutic is no longer in business) interchangeable choke tubes, and hopefully adjustable LOP and comb. I require a slightly lower comb than some because of my cheek structure/fat head.

I don't really have a budget, thinking 2500-3k, maybe less if I can find a good used one that fits me. (6'2 250 with fairly long arms) I'll likely just shoot locally for a while, and then eventually pass it down to my son/grandson.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

https://www.joeletchenguns.com/
https://www.joeletchenguns.com/new-guns/browning/citori-cxt-/view/3123-cxtThis is always a fun place to window shop.

 

[DIBBS]

I will have to travel a distance to fondle prospective shotguns. I'm not sure if there is a place in Spokane or CDA that has a good selection of trap shotguns, but the sport is much less active and a number of clubs are no longer in business. Appreciate the link @Kracken McGraw

 

[Nealm66]

Man, I’ve had a few guys with some very expensive shotguns ask me what I’m shooting. 32” weatherby Orion. I’m definitely not an expert on how they should be but the pigeons turn to dust when I point at them

 

[22turborimfire]

I shot clays years ago. In my prime I was better than average I was shooting B class scores. I just got burnt out on both Skeet and Trap .
Last year I joined a new to me private club . You had to participate in three club functions as a requirement. I decided hey let's give a try at a round of trap . It was a enjoyable round and the shotgun felt good but the desire isn't there .
I had a Krieghoff Monte Carlo grade K 32 . Guy out of Lumberton NC wanted it more than me .

Correction ,
Lincolnton NC

 

[Gman]

A very expensive hobby in today's economy.

But in reality, what isn't expensive today.

 

[KMart]

I don't really need to fall back into this rabbit hole, but am considering starting trapshooting again locally after about a 20 year hiatus since a couple close friends are still doing so.

In the mid 80's through late 90's, I shot locally and attended a few ATA competitions. I started with a Model 12, then a Ruger O/U, and ended with a Beretta O/U for doubles and Ljutic for singles and handicap. These were all sold long ago to fund other rabbit hole dysfunctions. There might have even been an 1100 Remington mixed in there too.

That being said, I am looking for shotgun recommendations. It needs to be durable, quality made, have parts readily available (and of recent/current manufacture as I see Ljutic is no longer in business) interchangeable choke tubes, and hopefully adjustable LOP and comb. I require a slightly lower comb than some because of my cheek structure/fat head.

I don't really have a budget, thinking 2500-3k, maybe less if I can find a good used one that fits me. (6'2 250 with fairly long arms) I'll likely just shoot locally for a while, and then eventually pass it down to my son/grandson.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.

From your description of your experience, I think you already know enough to guide yourself through this. Don't let someone else tell you what you need. There is something out there that you want and you won't be happy until you find it. It is all about fit, feel, and does it shoot where you look.
I do think you are in for sticker shock when you start looking. Finding some long time shooter that is getting out of the game could be a plus for you. I put all those toys down around 2005. Now they set quietly in the safe.

Good Luck

 

[ggshoots]

I also got away from it years ago and mainly just shoot rifles. My club is much bigger in trap, skeet and 5 stand. It seems like many of the members are running the Browning 725's. May be worth looking at and in that price range and above but used can be bought well at times.

 

[majohnson]

Preferred the combo if you decide to shoot singles & doubles. Then you have the same fit and point of aim. Started with a Browning BT99, and in a few years purchased a Remington 3200 to shoot doubles. The 3200 was an impulse purchase, since a gentleman I shot with often had one.

Sold both to fund MX8 combo, the 2 trigger sets were a nice piece of kit. Once I was comfortable with the difference with the MX8 and my previous guns it improved my yearly average numbers in all 3 events. This was long before choke tubes, but shooting skeet with a trap gun will improve your angle targets average,

 

[perazziguy]

Keep an eye out for an older Monogun. Philip's Gunsmithing should have any parts if you should need . Caesar Guerini also has some nice options ahould you want to shoot doubles. There are also BT-99's out there too. KX5's and KX6's are plentiful also.

 

[urbanrifleman]

9 to 10 bucks of box for trap loads (if you can find them). No thanks. I guess I'm done. Nevermind. Nothing to see here. Move along.

This is my CZ. I should probably just sell it.

 

[TrapperBR549]

I'm not sure where you are located but if you can find a big trapshoot there are normally quite a few dealers there that will let you shoot whatever used gun you want. If you can make it to Sparta IL or Linn Creek MO there will be hundreds of shotguns to shoot and fondle.
If you pick up a decent used Perazzi MX8 or similar they hold their value well and there are plenty of parts available.

 

[butchlambert]

Go to the Trap Shooter forum. A feller there has many many cases of both Federal and Remington trap ammo. Also if you are serious aq Perrazi sp is available also.



I need to sell my personal supply of trap/sporting clays ammo. It is all in central Texas-College Station. I can't ship it-for pick-up only, but no tax or shipping cost at least...
PM me if you are interested and I will give you my phone number. I can't really say "First 'I'll take it' gets it", because it is 105 cases of different types of ammo.

Federal Gold Medal Paper, 1-1/8oz--all $130 per case
(12) T171-7.5 DE: HDCP
(30) T171-8 DE: HDCP
(34) T118-7.5 DE:3
(8) GMT 171-7.5 1235 fps (Same as the T118 papers, only boxes have Grand American on them)

Remington Nitro 27/HDCP/Nitro Sporting--all $120 per case
(12) STS12NH7 (1235 fps 1-1/8)
(3) STS12NSC17 (1350 fps 1 oz)
(3) STS12NSC18 (1350 fps 1 oz)
(3) STS12NH17 (1290 fps 1 oz)

 

[Kracken McGraw]

9 to 10 bucks of box for trap loads (if you can find them). No thanks. I guess I'm done. Nevermind. Nothing to see here. Move along.

This is my CZ. I should probably just sell it.

If a person has the opportunity and time to do it, why not. It’s a great sport that should be kept going.

 

[DIBBS]

I'm located in Eastern WA.

There are still a few trap shoots in the general area, but participation and # of registered shoots in the area are way down from the 90's, based on conversations at a club trap shoot this weekend that I worked at.

Several of the larger clubs have closed. (Spokane, Lewiston). They held the biggest competitions in my area, and several throughout the year.

There do seem to be a lot of Ljutic mono guns for sale online... I shot a friends this weekend and my scores were better than with my 870 field. LOP was a little short though. I may just have to travel to a shoot as suggested and look at for sale items. I certainly want to try before I buy.... and a combo set would be nice.

Which rifles to sell.... real world problems right.....

Appreciate your thoughts and suggestions!

 

[KMart]

I'm not sure where you are located but if you can find a big trapshoot there are normally quite a few dealers there that will let you shoot whatever used gun you want. If you can make it to Sparta IL or Linn Creek MO there will be hundreds of shotguns to shoot and fondle.
If you pick up a decent used Perazzi MX8 or similar they hold their value well and there are plenty of parts available.

Elmer Fairchild has, for YEARS, gone to the larger shoots and always had a great selection of used guns of almost every brand. Linn Creek is a tough place to shoot!

 

[3Ackleys]

Take a look at the Beretta A400 Multitarget. Adjustable comb, around 3K new. I'm in Montana, and used to shoot registered ATA quite a bit. Now just league shooting. My Beretta 390 has over 85,000 rounds through it without any troubles. Have owned some break open trap guns throughout the years, but couldn't ever shoot them as well as my auto.

 

[Dos XX]

Guns Unlimited in Omaha, NE carries some special run Brownings with adjustable ribs and adjustable combs, with or without Graco recoil reducers. Might be worth checking out. They may have some used Brownings. I would call them.

A used Citori XT o/u would be in your price range and would shoot all three events.

Here are some reputable places that have used trap guns.

Gray's Shotgun Cache in Amarillo, Tx.
Giacomo's in New York
Joel Etchen's Guns
Indiana Gun Club
Jaqua's Fine Guns
Target Shotuns in North Carolina
Coles Fine Guns
Pacific Sporting Arms

 

[6BRA]

Ljutic

 

[bobinpa]

I don't really need to fall back into this rabbit hole, but am considering starting trapshooting again locally after about a 20 year hiatus since a couple close friends are still doing so.

In the mid 80's through late 90's, I shot locally and attended a few ATA competitions. I started with a Model 12, then a Ruger O/U, and ended with a Beretta O/U for doubles and Ljutic for singles and handicap. These were all sold long ago to fund other rabbit hole dysfunctions. There might have even been an 1100 Remington mixed in there too.

That being said, I am looking for shotgun recommendations. It needs to be durable, quality made, have parts readily available (and of recent/current manufacture as I see Ljutic is no longer in business) interchangeable choke tubes, and hopefully adjustable LOP and comb. I require a slightly lower comb than some because of my cheek structure/fat head.

I don't really have a budget, thinking 2500-3k, maybe less if I can find a good used one that fits me. (6'2 250 with fairly long arms) I'll likely just shoot locally for a while, and then eventually pass it down to my son/grandson.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and recommendations.

If you have done all of that, then you can find yourself a gun. You could find a used Beretta or Browning for that kind of budget and it would probably fit your needs and serve you well. Like benchrest shooting, the sky is the limit with a budget... Good luck and have fun.